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LINCOLN — Nebraska’s family caregivers now provide $4.5 billion worth of labor each year, according to a new AARP report.
Most of this work is unpaid, yet it forms the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system that is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently at home.
Why this matters: Without family caregivers, many more Nebraskans would rely on expensive institutional care, driving significantly higher costs for taxpayers and public programs.
“Family caregivers are a major economic force that fill critical gaps in our health care system,” said Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP Nebraska. “The economic value they provide now exceeds $1 trillion annually in the U.S., yet this care often comes at a significant cost to caregivers’ health, financial security, and well-being. AARP is elevating this important issue and fighting to save family caregivers time and money.”
Key findings from the report, Valuing the Invaluable 2026, include:
• 300,000 Nebraskans are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing 210 million hours of care annually, work that would be valued at $4.5 billion per year if paid in the marketplace, based on a value of $21.31 per hour.
• Across states, the estimated value of caregiving ranges from $14.12 per hour in Louisiana to $27.05 per hour in Washington, reflecting regional differences in wages and the cost of care.
National Findings:
• 59 million Americans are caregivers of adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing 49.5 billion hours of care annually, work that would be valued at $1.01 trillion per year if paid in the marketplace, based on a value of $20.41 per hour.
• The 49.5 billion hours of care provided each year is the equivalent of nearly 24 million full-time workers, roughly 17% of the entire U.S. full-time workforce.
• The value of family caregiving exceeds total federal, state, and local Medicaid spending nationwide, and almost doubles all out-of-pocket health care spending.
Caregiving has become more demanding and complex as chronic illnesses rise and more care shifts into homes:
• Family caregivers are spending more time providing care, averaging 27 hours each week.
• More than half, 57%, now provide high-intensity care, meaning they spend more hours helping with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, as well as complex medical and nursing tasks like wound care and administering injections.
Read the full report at https://www.aarp.org/valuing.
AARP continues federal and state advocacy to save caregivers money and time and get them the support they deserve, while also helping families navigate caregiving challenges by connecting them to trusted resources. AARP Nebraska’s resource guide helps family caregivers access key programs, services and agencies right in their community.
Additionally, through its partnership with United Way Worldwide, caregivers can access local support services in 28 states, including Nebraska, by calling 211, offering help finding in-home care, respite care, transportation, and other essential services. For more information, visit https://www.aarp.org/NEcaregiving.
